2015 Oscars: 'Birdman' nabs Best Picture

UPDATE: "Birdman" has won the Oscar for Best Picture and put it on the same path as Best Director this year. That hasn't happened for the last two years. "Birdman" marked another recent win for a movie about show business.

"Argo" and "The Artist" are two examples of late.

But, Alejandro Inarritu, during his acceptance speech, wondered if the government would institute new immigration rules. "Two Mexicans in a row," he noted with a smirk. Last year, Alfonso Cauron won for "Gravity." But, last year the top film was "12 Years a Slave."

Inarritu did use his speech as a plea for sane immigration rules. It was a night for some issue-oriented speeches, but it did not detract from entertainment. A mix of both happened all night. But Lady Gaga perhaps stole the night in her tribute to "The Sound of Music." After her tribute, Julie Andrews walked on stage and the theater erupted again.

Plus, as expected, Julianne Moore won Best Actress. Cheers were plenty and loud all night long at the Oscars. "There is no such thing as Best Actress," quipped Moore.

Going in the Best Actor category was hard-fought and it ended up being Eddie Redmayne taking it. He beat out Michael Keaton, his closest rival during the long award season.

EARLIER: Alejandro Inarritu has just won Best Director for "Birdman." as the Oscars are being handed out in Hollywood. He just accepted a Best Screenplay awards for "Birdman."

EARLIER: The biggest cheer and longest standing ovation of the night so far belongs to Lady Gaga, who honored 50 years of "The Sound of Music." Then in walked Julie Andrews and the applause continued.

EARLIER: The 87th Academy Awards have turned a bit political Best Song goes to "Glory" from "Selma." Common and John Legend performed the powerful piece and the crowd stood and cheered when they won.

Patrica Arquette turned issue oriented with her speech, too. But the cutest part of the night so far goes to Idina Menzel and John Travolta presenting Best Song. Since Travolta butchered her name last year, they came up with a bit this year to rectify that. And it worked.

EARLIER: "Citizenfour" picks up Best Documentary as the 87th Annual Academy Awards continue in Hollywood. "Citizenfour" tells the story of whistleblower Edward Snowden.

EARLIER: Patricia Arquette was a favorite for Best Supporting Actress and she won. So, put the supporting categories to bed. Before that Arquette loudly proclaimed equal rights for women. It was a prepared speech and Meryl Streep could be seen pointing and agreeing with the comments.

EARLIER: J.K. Simmons won the first award of the night as he took home Best Supporting Actor as the Oscars are underway in Hollywood.

Simmons received a loud roar with his win and many stood, too. He said call your mom and dad. "Do not text, do not email. Call them. Tell them you love them," he said.

EARLIER: The 2015 Oscars are ready to roll as rain is in the forecast. But, that will not hamper anything that goes on inside the Dolby Theater in Hollywood.

So, whether the night belongs to "Birdman" or "Boyhood," that is still being discussed, all over Hollywood and beyond.

Also, the idea of a third film spoiling the party has made it into the talk. But, one category that seems safe is Julianne Moore for Best Actress in "Still Alice." Another one is J.K. Simmons for Best Supporting Actor for "Whiplash." Battling it out all season has been Michael Keaton and Eddie Redmayne for Best Actor. That race is still tight. Supporting Actress seems to be sewn up for Patricia Arquette for her role in "Boyhood."

The one that may be the one to watch is Best Director. The last two years, that category and Best Picture have been different films. An oddity, but not lately, so that may not be an indicator of things to come after the award gets handed out.

Something a little different for this pre-show report is trying to describe the red carpet for this afternoon. So, here it goes.

Red Carpet Look: The usual black theme of the past few years has been is pushed aside. Now, gold stands out. Security is tighter than usual with threats all around and undercover agents will be in tuxedos and will be lining the carpet. There will members of the FBI and Homeland Security, too. To get an idea and how the stars get through it: they are dropped off at Hollywood and Highland; walk through a tent (where they are searched, etc., out of view); out of the tent they face the cameras and press; celebs to the left and the rest to the right; a background set-up wall is to the right for the walk-through and posed camera shots; then it is the long walk-through (bleachers to the right); press is to the left; it can take a celebrity two hours to get through it all (lot of obligations and interviews, so lingering); they are told how, when and where to walk and who to talk to; flowers are minimal and NO red carpet actually on the stairs heading up to the theater.

Lastly, with that threat of rain, those clear canopies are up over the entire carpet. But, over the past few years, even without the threat of rain, those canopies have been in place. When the sun shines, it makes it even hotter.

Winners and category will be highlighted in bold as they are announced. Neil Patrick Harris is host and the show is broadcast live on ABC, starting at 4 p.m.PT/6 p.m. CT/7 p.m. ET.

Note: J.K. Simmons rode the award season victory train all the way to a win. Perhaps now the insurance commercial can become a side gig only for fun.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Patricia Arquette, “Boyhood”

Keira Knightley, “The Imitation Game”

Emma Stone, “Birdman”

Meryl Streep, “Into the Woods”

Laura Dern, “Wild”

Note: Patricia Arquette as a favorite going in so no surprise at all. Giving 12 years to a movie means that person's life changes, too.

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM

“Big Hero 6″

“The Boxtrolls”

“How to Train Your Dragon 2″

“Song of the Sea”

“Princess Kaguya”

Note: Without "The LEGO Movie," this category became a player. Well, at least for the top three on this list. "Big Hero 6," wins and some may say that is a surprise. After "LEGO" was left out, many threw their pick to "How to Train Your Dragon 2."